Keeping Secrets

by Joan Lowery Nixon

  "What do you mean, not now? I—"

  "Hush!"

  To Peg's amazement Miss Hennessey pulled a small handgim from her reticule and tucked it on the seat under her skirt. In a low voice she said, "Whatever may happen next, don't be afraid."

  Peg stiffened as the beat of horse hooves rapidly approached their buggy. A voice shouted, "Pull up! Be quick about it!"

  The bearded soldier appeared, rising above the kicked-up eddies of road dust like an evil spirit. He jerked his horse to a stop and leaned into the buggy, reaching with a large, grubby hand for Miss Hennessey's reticule. "Give me that bag," he ordered.

  Peg flinched as she was hit with the sour, stinking odor that poured from his breath and his body, but Miss Hennessey calmly said, "You'll not take my letter."

  "I don't want your letter," he snapped. "I want money."

  Miss Hennessey paused for only a moment, then obediently handed him her reticule. She held the reins

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  with her left hand and quietly slid her right hand to the buggy seat, where it rested against her handgun.

  Peg was too frightened to move as she stared at the large revolver in the soldier's belt. Surely, Miss Hennessey's small pistol would be no match for that!

  Barely able to get his large hand inside the drawstring opening, the soldier fished around, then triumphantly withdrew it. A quick flash of paper bills disappeared into his fist as he handed back the reticule.

  "Where's your jewelry?" he asked.

  Miss Hennessey met his gaze. "I have none with me," she said. "I wouldn't be foolish enough to wear it."

  The soldier jerked again on his horse's reins, wheeling him around, and galloped back down the road.

  Peg leaned from the buggy and peered after him. "He stole your money!" she cried.

  "Only two dollars."

  With peppermints selling at five for a penny, two dollars seemed like a lot of money to Peg. "You aren't angry?"

  Miss Hennessey shook her head. "I was prepared for theft."

  Confused and hurt, Peg demanded, "How could he be a thief? He's Federal ... a Union soldier, here to preserve the law."

  Miss Hennessey tucked her pistol into her reticule and gave a fiip to the reins. As the horse started up and they continued their journey she said, "Unfortunately, Peg dear, there are bad apples on both sides."

  "I'm sorry he took all your money."

  To Peg's surprise Miss Hennessey said, "He didn't take all of it. Only a small amount." She smiled as she

  said, "Peg, it's time you learned that when women travel alone they carry very little money where it can easily be stolen. I, for one, wrap my traveling money in a handkerchief and pin it inside my corset."

  Peg blushed furiously. She had never heard a lady speak of corsets. Ma had said that ladies didn't talk about their undergarments.

  "You wondered why I told the sergeant you were my daughter," Miss Hennessey continued.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "The members of a Union patrol are trained to look for southern sympathizers or for parties who could be acting against the best interests of the Union."

  "Or for spies," Peg added.

  "Or for spies," Miss Hennessey repeated. As she turned to look at Peg, for just an instant her gaze seemed troubled. "The patrols interrogate anyone whose behavior is in any way suspicious. Because there has been so much trouble with Missouri bushwhackers, the soldiers are wary. It's certamly acceptable for a mother and daughter to travel together, but if I had said. This young woman is a daughter of a friend of mine who agreed to allow her to accompany me,' the soldiers would probably have had further questions and might have insisted on seeing a letter of safe passage for you. We could have been sent back to St. Joseph or even detained. Telling them you were my daughter simplified the entire situation. I didn't think you'd mind."

  "I—I don't mind," Peg answered, but she couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable.

  "I can see that the small deception troubles you, even though it's perfectly innocent and can help assure our safe travel on this trip and on others."

  "On other trips?"

  "Yes. If all goes well, you'll be able to visit Danny often. You do understand, don't you, Peg?"

  "Yes. Yes, I do!" Peg cried, her heart skipping with excitement.

  Miss Hennessey's eyes twinkled as she said, "Then this can be our little secret."

  Peg took a sharp breath. "I don't keep secrets from Ma," she said firmly.

  "Oh, dear me!" Miss Hennessey reached over and clasped Peg's hand. "I wouldn't dream of asking you to keep secrets from your mother. I'd just like to explain to her in my own way what I told the soldiers and why."

  Peg felt a chill, as though a cold breeze had blown across her shoulders. Hadn't Miss Hennessey said almost the same thing after Peg had seen her with her cousin in the woods?

  Miss Hennessey and Ma had talked, but Peg hadn't heard the conversation. What exactly had Miss Hennessey told Ma about her cousin? And what was she going to tell her about this?

  "You can tell Ma first, if you want," Peg said quietly, "but I'll tell her, too."

  "Fair enough," Miss Hennessey said and smiled. She didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by what Peg had said. Peg stared down at her hands, suddenly embarrassed by her concerns, which now appeared to have been silly and childish.

  As though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place. Miss Hennessey broke into Peg's thoughts with a happy chirp of a laugh. "Just think. Peg! We're almost at our destination! You'll soon be seeing your brother Danny!"

  The excitement in Miss Hennessey's voice was contagious, and Peg's good spirits blossomed. That's why

  she was here, wasn't it? To see Danny? What did it matter what Miss Hennessey had told the sergeant about her as long as it got them past the patrol? And as for Ma—well, under the circumstances she'd probably agree that what Miss Hennessey had said was sensible and right.

  Freed from her worries, Peg eagerly looked forward to surprising Danny.

  As they came to a fork in the road Miss Hennessey turned to the left.

  Peg waved toward the right. "The Swensons' farm is over there."

  "If you don't mind, Peg, we'll stop off at my sister's house first," Miss Hennessey said. "I'm so eager to see Nellie again, and I do so want her to meet you. You're such a delight, and you and your parents have been such dear friends. After a quick hello I'll drive you to see Danny. I promise."

  Peg had no choice but to nod agreement, especially when Miss Hennessey added, "I'm so afraid Nellie's feelings would be hurt if she thought you didn't want to meet her."

  Within a few moments the road wound up and over a rise and into a clearing in front of a small, trim house. Peg neither saw nor heard signs of any farm animals. Not even a dog came out to greet them.

  But, as Miss Hennessey jumped from the buggy and fastened the reins to a hitching post, the front door of the house flew open and a plump, blond woman raced out, her skirts flapping around her legs.

  "Violet!" she cried and hugged her sister so enthusiastically she lifted her off her feet.

  Peg, who had climbed from the buggy, braced herself as Mrs. Parker stepped back, spied Peg, and descended upon her, arms opened wide.

  "You must be Peg! Violet wrote about you!"

  Peg politely submitted to the hug then looked about for Miss Hemiessey.

  "She's gone inside to greet my husband," Mrs. Parker said.

  Peg took a few steps in the direction of the house, but Mrs. Parker blocked her way. "Well wait out here," she said.

  Even though it was the third of October, it was warm outside in the sun. "I'd like a drink of water, please," Peg said. "If you have a pump in the kitchen ..."

  "The water's cooler at the well," Mrs. Parker said. She took Peg's hand and led her around the side of the house, where she dropped the bucket into the well, then turned the crank to pull it up. Peg picked up the metal cup that rested on the rim of the well and drank deeply. The water was cold and tasted de
licious. She gulped down the last drop.

  A middle-aged, slender man, who wore riding boots, a hat pulled low over his ears, and the dark, homespim clothing worn by many farmers, appeared around the comer of the house. He smiled as he strode toward Peg.

  Mrs. Hennessey, who followed behind him, introduced him as Louis Parker.

  "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Parker," Peg said politely.

  He bowed over her hand. "I'm sorry I don't have time for a visit," he said, "but I have a long ride ahead of me. Perhaps next time. Miss Kelly."

  Hurried goodbyes were said before he strode to the pasture after his horse.

  "Come for a drive with us, Nellie," Miss Hennessey

  insisted. "I promised Peg that after the two of you had met, I'd take her immediately to visit her brother."

  "Give me one minute to get my bonnet," Mrs. Parker said and ran into the house.

  Peg, who had retied her own sunbonnet, sat squeezed between the two laughing, chatting women as Miss Hennessey guided the buggy to the Swensons' farm. Ignoring their lighthearted conversation, which flitted back and forth over her head like butterflies, all Peg could think about was Danny.

  The road led through a patch of deep-shaded woodlands and out along low-lying hills. Peg squeaked with delight and boimced on the buggy seat as she finally spotted the familiar two-story house that crowned the top of a rise overlooking the Missouri River. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney of the kitchen fireplace, and Peg realized—her stomach growling assent —that the Swensons had probably just finished their noon meal.

  As Miss Hennessey guided the horse and buggy into the side yard. Peg couldn't wait a second longer. She crawled over Mrs. Parker's lap and leaped to the ground. Running toward the kitchen door she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Danny! Danny!"

  The door burst open, and Danny ran out, the alarm on his face quickly changing to a grin as Peg ran to him, her laughter spilling into the sunlight.

  "You're taller!" Peg shouted. "No fair, Danny Kelly! You're taller and stronger, and here I thought I'd catch up with you!"

  Out of the open door popped Ennie Swenson, her husband Alfrid right behind her. Ennie was as short and plump as ever, Alfrid as tall and lean. Gussie, the hired girl, peeked around the door frame, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  Hugs first, or polite introductions? Peg flew into the hugs. The grown-ups could take care of properly meeting one another.

  By the time they had introduced themselves, Peg had settled down to just an occasional bounce and a broad smile. She clung to Danny, pulling one hand away only to press it against her stomach as it gave a loud growl.

  Bluntly, Gussie said, "Girl, I bet your last meal was breakfast, and who knows how long it's been since then? Come with me, and I'll fix you a plate."

  "Miss Hennessey, Mrs. Parker, we have some cold chicken," Ennie quickly offered, but Miss Hennessey shook her head.

  "You're very kind, but we'll decline your generous invitation. I know you have much to talk about with Peg, and Nellie and I have to catch up on all the years we've been apart."

  "Years?" Ennie asked.

  "Yes, four," Mrs. Parker said, while at the same time Miss Hennessey answered, "Five."

  Mrs. Parker rolled her eyes and giggled. "Oh, dear, has it really been that long, Violet? I seem to have lost all track of time."

  Miss Hennessey smiled at Peg. "I'll be back to pick you up at three o'clock," she told her.

  "Thank you. I'll be ready," Peg answered politely, although her attention had been captured by the fragrant odors wafting from the open kitchen door.

  She didn't wait to watch Miss Hennessey and her sister drive away. She raced into the kitchen, tugging Danny with her, and dove into the nearest chair. En-nie's chicken was good, hot or cold; the baked yellow squash, with butter and a touch of cinnamon, was still

  warm, and the apple dumpling Gussie set before her rivaled Ma's.

  After welcoming Peg again, Alfrid said, "Danny, I can easily finish our fence mending by myself. You stay here and visit with Peg. Look how glad she is to see you. Or could it be Ennie's apple dumplings that have Peg so excited?"

  "The dumplings, of course," Peg said and grinned at Danny.

  As Alfrid left, Ennie served Danny and Peg second helpings of the dumplings, then plopped into a chair at the table. "So the Parkers are living on the Millers' place," she said to Peg. "I hear they didn't buy the land but are only renting. Thad and Gennie Miller moved out west, you know, after their second son was killed."

  Peg swallowed noisily, sure of what Ma'd have to say if she talked with her mouth full. Trying her best to remember the Millers, she said, "No, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

  "It was after the raids last year," Ennie said. "Union patrols suspected the Millers of having southern sympathies and arrested their son, Joshua. Amos, the younger son, was so upset he ran off and joined the bushwhackers."

  Danny spoke up. "Then they were southern sympathizers."

  "Some said yes, some said no. I, myself, never thought so," Ennie said with a sigh. "But then, now-days, who knows? How many people, loyal to the Union, changed their allegiance because of the cruelty of those Union patrols?"

  "The bushwhackers are cruel, too," Danny insisted.

  "That's right," Ennie said. "They've done horrible things to many innocent people. These are hard times for all of us. I can only pray that they'll soon be over."

  As she smoothed her apron across her ample lap, a smile brightened her features. "No more talk of war," she said. "Let's talk about pleasant things. How is your mother, Peg?"

  "Fine," Peg said. She drank a long gulp from the glass of sweet milk Gussie had placed before her, then wiped off her damp milk mustache with the back of one hand.

  "And you, dear? Is all going well with you?"

  "Yes, ma'am," Peg answered.

  "You're growing up to be a lovely young lady. Peg."

  "Thank you," Peg said. She looked at the large bite of apple on her fork, put it back into the bowl and cut it into a daintier piece—the size a young lady would eat.

  Ennie leaned toward her, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Tell me about Miss Hennessey," she said.

  Peg looked up, surprised. "You just met her."

  "She certainly seems very pleasant," Ennie began. "Your mother has never mentioned Miss Hennessey. How long has she known her? Where did she come from?"

  Peg thought a moment. She'd have an eager audience if she told Ennie in great detail about Miss Hennessey's flight from Quantrill's raiders and Frances Mary bringing her to St. Joe and shelter at their home. But the apple dumpling was gone, her stomach was full, and she'd rather spend her short time here with Danny.

  She tried to remember Ennie's questions as she answered, "Ma hasn't known Miss Hennessey for very long . . . just a couple of weeks. She lives in St. Joe, and she comes from Boston."

  "Don't you know anything about her family?"

  Peg stared in surprise. "Her sister's name is Nellie Parker, and she was here just a few minutes ago."

  Ennie sighed and hoisted herself from her chair. "Never mind," she said and gave her apron a shake. "Why don't you children run outside and play?"

  Peg tried not to look as aggrieved as she felt. Not more than fifteen minutes ago Ennie Swenson had called Peg a young lady, yet now she was sounding just like Ma! Peg tossed back her shoulders and tried to look as old as she felt.

  Danny grabbed Peg's arm, jerked her to her feet, and propelled her out the back door. He didn't stop until they had reached the field behind the bam.

  "Stop that!" Peg pulled away with such force she lost her balance and flopped onto the grass.

  Danny dropped down beside her. "Then don't act so prissy in front of Ennie."

  "I wasn't prissy."

  "You were, too. You should have seen your face."

  Peg's lower lip curled into a pout. "She said we were children."

  "You are a child. You're only eleven."

  "Eleven's almost grown-up."
/>   "It is not."

  "Is too." Peg broke off a handful of grass, enjoying the stinging, sour fragrance as it tickled her nose. Laughing, she threw it at Danny.

  Puzzled when he didn't laugh, too. Peg demanded, "What's the matter with you?"

  Danny's face was serious as he looked at Peg. "I could tell that you didn't want to spend a lot of time gossiping with Ennie about Miss Hennessey," Danny said. "But if you do know something about her, you have to tell me what it is."

  Taken by surprise, Peg could only blurt out, "Why?"

  "The Miller house . . . the Parker house now . . . there's something strange going on there."

  Peg leaned close, a little frightened by the seriousness in Danny's voice. "What something strange?" she whispered.

  "Ennie sent me over to the Psirkers with one of her cakes and a bowl of eggs when they first moved in," Danny said, "and I've ridden nearby a couple of times since . . . near enough to see, that is."

  Peg grabbed his arm, exasperated that it was taking him so long to explain. "See what? Tell me, Daimy!"

  "The Parkers live on a farm," he said, "so by rights they should work it. But they're not farming. They don't have animals, and they're not growing crops. How can they manage to survive on a farm if they don't work it?"

  Peg tried to remember all that Miss Hennessey had said. "They're not staying long. It's just . . . just temporary."

  "That doesn't make sense. If they're in these parts for a short time, then why not stay in town?"

  "I don't know," Peg said.

  "Maybe there are things about the Parkers and Miss Hennessey we should know. Our Union's at war." Danny tried to look serious, but his scowl soon dissolved into a grin. "I mean it. Peg," he said. "You and I could find out."

  "How? By asking questions?"

  Danny nodded. "And by keeping our eyes and ears open."

  Peg took a sharp breath. "Do you mean spying?"

  "Not the I-Spy-peeking-around-the-comer games that little children do."

  Peg's face grew warm, and she quickly looked away. Just a few weeks ago she and May had been playing spying on Marcus.